Native perennial. Prefers wet soil  clay or gravel. Good seasonal stream stabilizer but spreads profusely and can become invasive. Slender  grass-like leaves grow from the base of the stem  the flowers are golden- brown colored  with the rays extending out from a central point with clusters of spikelets on the ends. Flowers and fruits spread out in feathery spikes almost like the ends of an umbrella (thus the name umbrella sedge).